Proposed Collection; Comment Request [12/20/2002]
Volume 67, Number 245, Page 78027
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed collection: Request for Earnings
Information (LS-426). A copy of the proposed information collection
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the
addresses section of this Notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before February 18, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202) 693-0339, fax (202) 693-1451, Email pforkel@fenix2.dol-esa.gov.
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or
Email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act
provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the
navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area
customarily used by an employee in loading, unloading, repairing, or
building a vessel. Pursuant to the LHWCA, injured employees shall
receive compensation in an amount equal to 66\2/3\ per centum of their
average weekly wage. Forms LS-426 is used to verify the average weekly
wage of an injured employee to determine if the correct compensation
rate is being paid. This information collection is currently approved
for use through June 30, 2003.
II. Review Focus
The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments
which:
[sbull] Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
[sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
[sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
[sbull] Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
III. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to assure
payment of compensation benefits to injured workers at the proper rate.
There is no change in the substance or method of collection since the
last OMB approval.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Request for Earnings Information.
OMB Number: 1215-0112.
Agency Number: LS-426.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Total Respondents/Responses: 1,600.
Frequency: On occasion.
Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 400.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $640. Comments submitted
in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information
collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 16, 2002.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-32099 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am
|
